The Citizenship Foundation's program is currently in use at approximately 20 percent of all schools in the United Kingdom. It is made up of four modules geared toward different age groups, all of which focus on promoting citizenship issues and civic engagement. The program, for example, encourages school classes to work together to support charitable organizations by donating time and financial resources. "The Citizenship Foundation's program is an excellent model for other countries to follow," says Dr. Brigitte Mohn, member of the Bertelsmann Stiftung Executive Board, "and is particularly appealing given its holistic nature. It covers a broad spectrum of activities, which, methodologically and strategically, are robustly designed. They promote a mindset of get-ting involved, which, ideally, will continue to influence students' choices in their adult lives."
In Baden-Württemberg, the TOP SE program provides seventh- and eighth-year students at Realschulen -- secondary schools that generally prepare students for a vocation or trade instead of university studies -- with opportunities for civic engagement. Through the program, they can become involved both within and outside of their schools as conflict mediators or members of school medical squads, for example, or as aides in retirement homes or facilities for the physically or mentally challenged. The program's teaching plan includes 72 hours of TOP SE activities, including in-class preparation and post-activity work. According to Brigitte Mohn, TOP SE is a key element in the school curriculum. "It's an outstanding model, demonstrating how young people can assume social responsibility and participate in their communities," she says. "Its activities help students learn how rewarding it can be to help others."
This year's Carl Bertelsmann Prize is geared first and foremost toward two target groups: policymakers and young people themselves. It is designed to spur political leaders to create the necessary conditions for children and adolescents to become involved in civic causes. "By establishing such a framework, policymakers can help the younger generation to learn what it means to become involved and, as a result, to become role models for others," Brigitte Mohn explains. To that extent, the Bertelsmann Stiftung is promoting this year's Carl Bertelsmann Prize under the rubric of "Creating role models."
The award ceremony will be held on September 6 in Gütersloh, with the keynote address delivered by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The Carl Bertelsmann Prize has been awarded annually since 1988 and is used to recognize countries, businesses or institutions that have implemented exemplary responses to pressing sociopolitical challenges.